Last Updated on 10 October 2025 by Vanessa
Jeff Bogle spent several years traveling the world to spend time with and photograph street cats. The result can now be seen in his newly released book Street Cats and Where to Find Them: The Most Feline-Friendly Cities and Attractions Around the World.
Wondering if this book is worth your time? Then read on.
Book Spotlight: Street Cats and Where to Find Them by Jeff Bogle
If you’ve been following this site for a while, you already know that few things make me happier than exploring the world in search of cat-inspired places (aside from cuddling my own cat, of course).
You can check out all the travel destinations for cat lovers I’ve explored and written about here.
Of course, there’s only so much ground one person can cover. That’s where a book like Street Cats and Where to Find Them comes in. (You can find it here!)
What to expect from this book
After an introductory chapter with practical tips on how to approach and interact safely with street cats, Jeff Bogle takes readers through different cat-centric destinations.
For each, he describes what makes the local cats unique, how they live, and how locals care for them.
He also paints a vivid picture of each destination, explaining what makes each place special beyond its feline residents.
At the end of every chapter, he adds a bonus section packed with helpful details:
- His personal “cat cuddle rating” (similar to the cat-o-meter on Traveling Cats)
- Where to find the most street cats in this location
- Local language and currency
- Nearest airport
- Recommendations for where to stay and eat
- Advice on the best ways to get around
- And, my favorite, information on local organizations that help cats, so readers can make a difference
You’ll recognize a few spots already featured on Traveling Cats. Yet, he also explores many countries I haven’t covered yet.
“My knowledge of destinations with cats came from a mix of my own experiences traveling, asking my travel writer friends where they’ve encountered kitties, and some research (old articles about cat community locations, for example),” Jeff Bogle told Traveling Cats.
Below are all the locations featured in Jeff Bogle’s book.
Cat hotspots from Street Cats and Where to Find Them
Lima, Peru
Jeff Bogle starts in the Miraflores district of Lima, Peru, home to the world-famous cats of Parque John F. Kennedy (although there are many other cat parks in Miraflores).
“Never in my life have I seen so many cats sitting on so many laps! My jaw was consistently in need of being picked up off the pavement,” the author writes in Street Cats and Where to Find Them.
“As far as one destination I’d recommend, that’d be Lima,” the author told Traveling Cats.
“There’s a reason I put it first in the book despite my editor’s confusion as to why the most famous cat city, Istanbul, wasn’t at the start. I even returned a year later, and took my wife, to experience the cat parks there. As I write in that section, I’d been able to achieve a level of relaxation and happiness in Lima that I don’t think I had ever experienced. It’s so beautiful to watch so many people petting cats, letting them sit on their laps, and being together as a community for a myriad of free public events. The atmosphere is utterly delightful morning, noon, and night.”
Santiago, Chile
Did you know that every major Chilean city has its own market cats? They’re part of the local fabric, guarding produce and charming customers for more than 80 years.
The book focus on two markets in particular: La Vega Central and Mercado Matadero.
Marrakech, Morocco
In the medina and Kasbah, cats slink between spice vendors, curl beside tea trays, and nap beneath rugs drying in the sun.
There’s a lot of swirl of sensory overload going on here: snake charmers, rooftop dinners, and the constant motion of the souks—all shared with the city’s countless cats.
Did you notice that the book’s cover photo was taken at the Marrakech medina?
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik’s cats are a local secret few tourists expect.
You can even join a Reykjavik Feline-Focused Walking Tour or visit Iceland’s only cat café.
Baktus, the city’s most famous cat, gets a special mention. So does the legendary Yule Cat of Icelandic folklore.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Who would have thought of New Orleans as a city of cats?
Cats here sun themselves on porches in Marigny, Mid-City, and the Irish Channel.
Meanwhile, groups like Trap Dat Cat and NOLA Neighborhood Cats help care for them.
Louisiana might not have many cat cafés, but it more than makes up for it with its thriving street cat population.
Houtong Cat Village, Taiwan
Once a decaying mining town, Houtong reinvented itself as a cat village.
Hundreds of cats roam here, watched by visitors climbing steep stairways between the village’s two halves.
Gift shops, cafés, and even ice cream stands cater to cat tourists.
However, the cats themselves remain the undisputed stars.
Malta
Malta’s cats are so well-known they even inspired a feature-length documentary: The Cats of Malta.
By the way, the director of that documentary created an entire Malta itinerary for cat lovers for Traveling Cats. Be sure to check it out.
Tashirojima, Japan (Cat Island)
Often called “Cat Island,” Tashirojima is somewhat of a holy grail for cat fanciers.
Cats here outnumber humans, yet the island remains tranquil and uncrowded. (Only about 24,000 visitors came in 2023.)
“This means that the cats get plenty of love, but not at the expense of their autonomy and ability to unwind at their leisure,” the author writes.
Kotor, Montenegro
“Drawbridges, moats, crooked cobblestone streets, twelfth-century buildings, gelato shops on every corner, and cats galore—everything about Kotor feels like a fairy tale,” Jeff Bogle writes in Street Cats and Where to Find Them.
By the way, the book doesn’t mention this but Kotor Kitties is doing great things to spay, neuter, and care for the local stray cat population.
Matera, Italy
I was surprised to see the cats of the Sassi of Matera in this book because it’s not a destination that is being associated with cats.
However, I actually saw more cats in the Sassi than in many other parts of Italy, and it’s easily one of the most breathtaking cities you can visit.
Istanbul, Turkey
Ever since the release of the documentary film Kedi, Istanbul has become synonymous with cats for many people
Its estimated 150,000 felines are allowed to go wherever they wish, from down into the subway to inside museums and even mosques during prayer.
The author also talks about the special relationship between the Istanbulites and their cats.
But it’s important to remember that the same love for cats exists in many other parts of Turkey, too. Places like Dalyan, Fethiye, Lake Van, and Ephesus all have large and well-loved cat populations.
📍 For those interested in seeing more of Istanbul’s cats, there’s a new photo book called The City Cats of Istanbul by Marcel Heijnen.
Cyprus
The earliest evidence of cat domestication was found in Cyprus, and today, the country is home to more cats than people.
For his book, Jeff Bogle visits Tala Cats Sanctuary and the Malcolm Cat Protection Society.
He also stops at the Holy Monastery of St. Nicholas of the Cats near Limassol.
Amman, Jordan
In Jordan, Jeff Bogle encountered the darker side of street cat life: illness, hunger, and indifference.
Many cats struggle to survive here.
Luckily, the author also witnessed several locals leaving water and food outside their doors.
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
In Old San Juan, cats own the cobblestones.
They sprawl along the Paseo del Morro, lounge near Save A Gato headquarters, and appear in nearly every photo tourists take.
“Old San Juan is alive with cats,” Jeff Bogle writes. “And they help make it a must-visit destination for cat lovers.”
Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan
Japan’s cat cafés are legendary.
Plus, they’re home to the country’s famous cat islands.
The author also visited the Yanaka Cemetery and neighborhood (once home to Tokyo’s famous “cat street”) and the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto.
Cairo, Egypt
Egypt once revered cats. Today, its felines struggle to survive amid chaos and change.
The author reflects on this contrast while wandering through Khan el-Khalili, where cats dart between spice stalls and pose like miniature sphinxes.
Croatia: Dubrovnik, Split, and the Dalmatian Islands
Dubrovnik’s cats lounge in the same alleys made famous by Game of Thrones.
“Winter isn’t coming, but the cats are!”
He also visits Split and the Dalmatian Islands, where “you’ll find young cats out and about, as if they’re also deciding at which restaurant to have lunch.”
Greece
“Finding street cats in Greece is a straightforward, uncomplicated two-step process,” Jeff Bogle writes. “Step one is stepping outside. Step two is opening your eyes, looking around, and seeing cats.”
Cats are indeed everywhere in Greece, and the author takes you to some of the most iconic places where you can meet them, from Athens to the island of Mykonos and beyond.
Tangier Island, Virginia, USA
Perhaps the book’s most unexpected inclusion is Tangier Island, a tiny and isolated patch of land in the Chesapeake Bay.
Locals claim cats once outnumbered residents, though that is no longer the case.
However, though ferries reach the island from only a few ports, visitors who make the trip find cats everywhere: on docks, porches, and narrow lanes.
Rome, Italy
Rome’s Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary is a legend unto itself: a refuge among ruins where hundreds of cats lounge in the shadow of ancient temples.
The author also explores the Non-Catholic Cemetery of Rome, where more cats roam beneath cypress trees.
Cat Cafés and Where to Find Them
To my delight, there’s also a chapter about cat cafés around the world.
Jeff Bogle traces the cat café trend from its birthplace in Taiwan to cat cafés in Japan.
But he also visits Lady Dinah’s in London, Le Café des Chats in Paris, Kitty Bubbles Café in Columbus, Café Chat l’Heureux and Café Félin ma Langue au Chats in Quebec, Bag of Nails pub in Bristol, The Black Cat Café in Devon, and Ailuromannia Cat Cafe in Dubai.
Cat Museums, Festivals, and Feline Oddities
Jeff Bogle ends the book with a chapter on cat museums and festivals.
He visits Hemingway’s six-toed cats in Key West, the cat guardians of Mexico City’s National Palace, the resident cat of South Africa’s Oyster Box Hotel, and the Kattenstoet in Belgium.
He also makes stops at Amsterdam’s Kattenkabinet and De Poezenboot, California’s CatCon, New York’s Algonquin Hotel, Malaysia’s Kuching Cat Museum, Tokyo’s Gotokuji Temple, and Ohio’s Feline Historical Museum.
Why I love Street Cats and Where to Find Them
Street Cats and Where to Find Them isn’t just a collection of photos of cats sitting near famous landmarks, although that’s certainly a big part of its charm.
The book also includes plenty of text, something many similar books leave out, and each chapter gives us a good idea of the destination and the cats that live there.
Jeff Bogle writes from his own perspective and experiences, which makes the stories personal and genuine.
So, I hope this article has inspired you to take a closer look at the book, because it truly is a treat for cat lovers. It’s filled with beautiful photography, interesting insights, and of course, numerous cats.
Be sure to save this page or pin the book cover for later, especially with the holiday season coming up. Chances are you know at least one cat lover who would be delighted to unwrap a book like this.
Have you read Street Cats and Where to Find Them? What did you think? Did a particular photo or story stick with you? Let me know in the comments below.
If not, grab your copy on Amazon today and see for yourself why cat lovers around the world are falling in love with it.
Go on a Street Cat Cruise with Jeff Bogle
If reading Street Cats and Where to Find Them has sparked your wanderlust, you’ll be happy to know that the author is taking his love for feline-filled travel to the high seas.
The Street Cat Cruise sets sail in 2026 aboard the Celebrity Eclipse and offers an 11-day adventure through some of Europe’s most scenic and cat-filled destinations.
The itinerary includes stops in Croatia, Montenegro, Malta, and Greece, with guided street cat walks in many of the same places featured in the book. Expect photo ops at every turn, cozy encounters with local cats, and plenty of time to explore each port.
Onboard, Jeff will host book signings, storytelling sessions, Q&As, and photography workshops, sharing behind-the-scenes tales from the making of Street Cats and Where to Find Them.
There’ll also be themed happy hours, exclusive goodies, and the chance to meet fellow cat lovers from around the world, all at a price lower than booking directly with the cruise line.
Even if your travel companion isn’t quite as cat-obsessed as you are, this trip blends European exploration, great company, and plenty of purring new friends.
Photos courtesy of Jeff Bogle.
More books about cats
Are you looking for even more books that explore the intersection of cats and travel? Be sure to check out my other reviews, including:
- Cats of the World
- Land of the Rising Cat
- Cats Who Changed the World
- Cats of Greece & Scenic Places
- Nicolai and the Cats of Skiathos
- Travels of Suki the Adventure Cat
- Shop Cats of China
- Clowders
- Neko Land
- The Cat With Three Passports
- The French Cat
- And many others!
And, of course, don’t forget to check out my own book: Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies. It’s a comprehensive overview of all the genre movies in which cats are part of the main storyline.
It’s the perfect companion read once you’ve put down Street Cats and Where to Find Them.
2 responses
A wonderful guide to find kitties. I’d bring lots of food and treats.
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Have a fabulous Happy Tuesday. ♥
Interesting book… we can tell about the red neighbourhood cat. He loves to be in our bed 😄